KARABAKH TALKS ARE FINISH LINE: POLITICAL EXPERT
A. Hasanov

Today.Az
08 December 2009 [10:42]

Day.Az interview with renowned Azerbaijani political expert Rasim
Musabayov.

Day.Az: Do you believe the process of resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict has seen a positive dynamics recently?

Rasim Musabayov: The fact that the negotiations to settle the
Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict have intensified is a
process itself. However, only those who are aware of all nuances of
their course in detail know whether this intensification will lead
to concrete decisions or not. The broad public does not know these
nuances. So, I can neither confirm nor deny that intensification of
the Nagorno-Karabakh negotiations has led to positive dynamics for
Azerbaijan in terms of fair settlement of the conflict.

Do you agree that normalizing Turkish-Armenian relations have given
an impetus to resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?

Of course. Before the signing of the Turkish-Armenian protocols in
Zurich, a number of domestic political analysts pointed out to what
you are saying now. It was clear that Turkey uses normalizing relations
with Armenia as a pretext to bring attention of world’s leading powers
a need for speedy settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Do you think it is high time for Armenia’s interests to be sacrificed
in the great game of leading states that have agreed on many issues?

It would be correct to say that the great powers should not abandon
their own interests in Azerbaijan for the sake of slaking Armenia’s
excessive ambitions which do not conform to international law. I
believe that Basic Principles of the conflict resolution must be
finally coordinated. The Karabakh talks are at the finish line.

Now it is time when we must speak about "yes" or "no" to resolving
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Negotiations can deliberately be
protracted a month, or three, but no more. I think there is every
reason to believe that in the first quarter of next year there will
be an answer to the question of whether the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
will be settled under international law or not.

What Azerbaijan can decide if Armenia says "no" to resolution of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict under international law?

At least, Azerbaijan will be forced to embark on an arms race, in
which Armenia has no chance to compete with Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan
will put more diplomatic pressure on Armenia in all international
areas. In particular, Azerbaijan can once again raise the issue of
unresolved Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and presence of Armenian armed
forces in the occupied territories to the UN Security Council.

I do not want to say that if Armenia says "no" to resolving the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict under international law, a war will ensue.

Because, some diplomatic failures in the settlement of the conflict
have not led to beginning of hostilities. In the meanwhile, the current
breakdown of negotiations on the Nagorno-Karabakh caused by Armenia
will be significantly different as Azerbaijan’s current position has
became much stronger.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress